A Detroit resident has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for his role in trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin. The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Patrick Brown, age 33, received the sentence from United States District Judge Robert J. Colville after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute at least 40 grams of fentanyl, 500 grams of cocaine, and an unspecified amount of heroin between August 2023 and August 2024. He also admitted to possessing fentanyl and cocaine with intent to distribute on August 1, 2024. In addition to the prison term, Brown was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and will serve two years of supervised release following his incarceration.
The court heard that Brown participated in a drug distribution conspiracy operating both in New Castle, Pennsylvania and Detroit. According to information presented before sentencing, Brown regularly sold fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine as part of the operation. He relocated from Detroit to New Castle specifically to work at trap houses used by the group.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted the case.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Rivetti acknowledged several agencies for their roles in the investigation: “I commend the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Lawrence County Drug Task Force, New Castle Police Department, Michigan State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Mercer County Drug Task Force, United States Postal Inspection Service, Department of Homeland Security, and Douglas County (Nebraska) Sheriff’s Office for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution in this case.”
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative created by Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF brings together multiple government agencies with a goal of dismantling criminal cartels and transnational organizations operating within or affecting the United States. It places particular emphasis on crimes involving children and utilizes all available legal measures against violent offenders.
